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[jonack]

Greetings to my 135i friends,

It's been a while since I last communicated, but I have been having just too much fun!

Briefly: I love my 135i... I love the color combo (sgm with coral red), and the way it responds to my commands. I have approx 4000 miles...my mpg is fairly stable at 19.6.....

I am having some difficulty with my bluetooth and ipod: Both worked a month ago, now my phone library won't list and my ipod selections will not download to the computer... I'm bringing it in next week for fixing; I'll also get an early oil change....

Driving in snow is the only challenge left.....

My BMW servive manager gave me the following recommendations:
BMW recommends:
Goodyear Eagle (run flat) GW3ROF 17 inch 20550R17
Wheel (style 141) 7 by 17

Cost with tax =approx. 2500.00 (615.00 per tire/wheel) plus tax

I called Tire Rack. They do not sell the Goodyear tire.... They have run flat Continentals and Pirellis, instead...
The price for Continental run flat snows plus the 7 by 17 wheels, sensors, etc. = approx 1500.00

Questions: Are you guys getting the same recommendations? Is the Goodyear Eagle better than the Continental or Pirelli?
I will use run flat snow tires, and I want to do exactly what BMW recommends. However, Being retired, I could really use the additional 1000.00 dollars... I have a local tire guy who will check into the Goodyear package for me....

All the best,
JoNack

[Dave]

order from Tirerack.com
Gill will help you out

2500 from the dealer is a rip off
and those tires are just ok in the snow

[Gary@TireRack]

Give me a call and we can go over the options. $2500 is a bit on the high side, I'd say.

Gill

[natedog_1959]

TR will definitely take good care of you. If you want to save some money, I would look into non-runflat winter tires. Blizzaks have worked incredibly well for me and are very cost effective. Nate

[EspressoBoy]

Blizzaks have runflat too LM22

Blizzaks non-runflat LM25

The difference other than the runflat/non you would have to talk to Gill

It's a good question.

EspressoBoy

[Artmasterx]

If you go with 225/45 r17 size, you have a few more options, including Dunlop M3 ($171) and Blizzak LM-22 ($178), both of which are good performance winter tires.

link

$1500 if all that you need to spend, if you go with inexpensive wheels.

[PaddlePusher]

Just ordered from Gill @ Tire Rack: Bridgestone Blizzaks LM22 225-45R-17s (H-rated, they were out of the V-rated), and Sport Edition F10 17x8 wheels with black accent. Total was about $1500. (I'll post pictures when I receive them.) Originally I wanted the Dunlop Winter Sport M3 DSSTs but they were backordered.

Gill's posts (as well as many others) on this forum have been very helpful but ultimately Gill's there to sell, sell, sell. "I don't have these -- you should buy these tires instead because those might never come in," etc. etc. I'm fairly certain he'll do right by you, but know what you want when you call him and be prepared to be shown alternatives to what is not available the day you call him.

Those TPMSs that were supposed to be out of stock for another two weeks mysteriously appeared the next day and my order got shipped. I'm pretty sure the tires I originally wanted that were backordered and "may never show up" would've shipped within days if I had ordered them. I say order what you want, backordered or not. You won't be charged until they ship anyway, if they ship. I'm guessing you'll end up with exactly what you want.

[ptack]

Run flats are more expensive than regular tires (to buy and to fix) so if money is a concern you should go with normal snow tires and buy a donut and jack kit to keep in the back.

[EspressoBoy]

Originally Posted by ptack

Run flats are more expensive than regular tires (to buy and to fix) so if money is a concern you should go with normal snow tires and buy a donut and jack kit to keep in the back.

ptack,

Yes but who wants to lug a donut and fix it? Not me. I hate cold hands, snow, cars wizzing by, all trying to get that donut on?

Listening to the radio.... I hear people get killed on the side of the road trying to put a donut on? My life is worth more. Each to his own though. What works for you does not always work for everyone. I would have used the donut 10 years ago for sure. So many things make a difference.

EspressoBoy

[ptack]

When it comes to safety, we're talking a 300hp sports car so common sense is an absolute requirement at all times. I've heard a lot of unflattering things about run-flats. Except for their nominal convenience they are not yet as good as the best conventional tires so I'll probably use the OEMs up, but not replace them in kind.

[EspressoBoy]

Originally Posted by ptack

When it comes to safety, we're talking a 300hp sports car so common sense is an absolute requirement at all times. I've heard a lot of unflattering things about run-flats. Except for their nominal convenience they are not yet as good as the best conventional tires so I'll probably use the OEMs up, but not replace them in kind.

nominal convenience ????

That really depends!
Things like the road you drive on.
I know from exp that changing a tire on a crazy highway like our 401 during winter, during night, it's not safe!

If you don't see yourself in that situation, I totally agree that runflats are not for everyone. Obviously BMW decided for us that we should have runflats. Too bad it was not a choice on ordering.

In the past, I would always buy a car with a full spare and skip the donut. Now I have runflats... go figure!

EspressoBoy

[Gary@TireRack]

Originally Posted by robboblobbo

Just ordered from Gill @ Tire Rack: Bridgestone Blizzaks LM22 225-45R-17s (H-rated, they were out of the V-rated), and Sport Edition F10 17x8 wheels with black accent. Total was about $1500. (I'll post pictures when I receive them.) Originally I wanted the Dunlop Winter Sport M3 DSSTs but they were backordered.

Gill's posts (as well as many others) on this forum have been very helpful but ultimately Gill's there to sell, sell, sell. "I don't have these -- you should buy these tires instead because those might never come in," etc. etc. I'm fairly certain he'll do right by you, but know what you want when you call him and be prepared to be shown alternatives to what is not available the day you call him.

Those TPMSs that were supposed to be out of stock for another two weeks mysteriously appeared the next day and my order got shipped. I'm pretty sure the tires I originally wanted that were backordered and "may never show up" would've shipped within days if I had ordered them. I say order what you want, backordered or not. You won't be charged until they ship anyway, if they ship. I'm guessing you'll end up with exactly what you want.

Just a little clarification:

Actually, those sensors are still not available.

Yesterday I was notified they were pushed out another week. I decided to get creative and was able to pull some strings behind the scenes and wrestle them from other outstanding orders who could not immediately use them (orders ahead of you waiting on other product besides sensors.)
You, and a few other members, got bumped up in line because I saw an opportunity to help fellow 1addicts.
I will always try to help out fellow forum members.

[PaddlePusher]

Originally Posted by Gill@Tirerack.com

Just a little clarification:
...You, and a few other members, got bumped up in line because I saw an opportunity to help fellow 1addicts...

Gill, no disrespect was meant, honestly. I'm sure you're a great guy and if what you say is true, I do appreciate it. But you are in business to sell, and Tire Rack doesn't get to take revenue until the order ships. So, my point is you guys will do whatever's possible to get the order out the door. (By the way, just got the tires but haven't unwrapped to look at the wheels yet. May not until Xmas ;-)

My main comment to the last couple of posts was that I won't be bothered with carting around a doughnut or even a special kit that I've gotta use in case of a flat. The only choice for me is run-flats. Not my ideal either, but I'm willing to sacrifice for this cool car. I just hope my enthusiasm lasts as long as the car.